SUMMER 2016

Meeting the Future…One Day at a Time

Heart 2 Heart Ministries

I have now reached another milestone in my life, and I might add, one I am not so excited about. In April of this

year, I became an official Medicare recipient. I turned 65. I am now an official “senior citizen”. Johnny tells me

I can officially take a “social security nap” each day. Really, I don’t mind the term “senior citizen”, but please

don’t call me “elderly”…I refuse to be classified as such. In my mind, I see people in that category as those who

are not able to take care of themselves….and I am nowhere near that point as yet.

Obviously, I could have looked at my 65th birthday on the negative side….gray month, gray hair, gray mood. I

could look at myself from all angles looking for a bigger bulge or a new liver spot. A friend of mine looked at her

65th as the worst of all—a time (she said) when husbands became interesting “older men” and wives became dull

“elderly women.” How negative! I choose to look at it differently…like the list of advantages of being 18 or 21…a

certain freedom came with that age…but a certain freedom comes with 65 also! We can draw Social Security,

ride the city bus free, visit certain places without paying for admission, reduced prices on other admissions and

meals, take adult education classes free, collect Medicare, serve as the sage whose ideas were considered wise

and whose services were valuable!

We do, however, ponder and discuss what our future as retirees will look like, and we question certain aspects. I

suppose this is not unusual. But the Lord tells us to take no thought about tomorrow. He teaches us to meet the

future….one day at a time. His Word tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares

the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is a very popu-

lar scripture for graduates, but it’s not just for them. As long as we are still living, we have a future and the Lord

has plans for us!

This world can be a place of trials and tribulations, but when we place our trust in the Giver of all things good, we

are secure. God has promised us peace, joy, and eternal life. And God keeps His promises!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Golden Anniversary Celebration Pastor Willard & Linda Estep

Sunday, April 24th, Stanton surprised Pastor Willard and

Linda with a luncheon to acknowledge their 50th

Wedding Anniversary. Mike Estep, their son, arranged

for a renewing of the vows, officiated by J. Scott Gillum. It

was a delightful celebration as the church gathered in the

fellowship hall to honor the Estep’s, their leadership, and

life commitment to one another.

Cheers! ...to 50 more years!

Bookshelf … Praying Circles Around the Lives of Your Children

Mark Batterson has a surprising secret weapon to parenting: prayer.

Using stories and experience, Batterson shares seven prayer circles that will help parents pray for their kids. In this

book parents will learn how to: create prayer lists unique to the their family, claim God-inspired promises for their

children, turn their family circle into a prayer circle, and discover their child’s life themes.

As Batterson says, “I realize that not everyone inherited a prayer legacy like I did, but you can leave a legacy for

generations to come. Your prayers have the power to shape the destiny of your children and your children’s children.

It’s time to start circling.” This book is an excellent resource for parents and grandparents!

99th

International

Assembly

July 13-17, 2016

Rosen Shingle Creek

9939 Universal Blvd.

Orlando, FL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

It is true that we are uncertain of what to look forward

to in retirement. Since most of you reading this article

are already retired, would you be willing to share with

us some things we can expect or look forward to? We

would love to hear from you about the joys or the

disappointments... how you’re loving your free

time….or not! Are you happy to be relieved of the stress

and pressures of ministry? Do you miss it?

We hope to hear from you. Send an email or note to

Brenda Gillum and share your response so we can fea-

ture you in the Heart 2 Heart Newsletter. We are so

appreciative of your many years in ministry, paving the

way for us! Thank you for sharing your lives!

“So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing

to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only,

but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us”

(I Thess. 2:8).

Submitted by Joyce Hood

Pastor’s Wife (Island)

Remembering….Gwynneth Bird

On May 3, Gwynneth Bird, stepped into eternity and into the arms of her Savior,

Jesus Christ. Upon their retirement, Brother Fred and Sister Gwynneth attended

Hopkinsville and faithfully served in various ministry roles until she became

homebound.

At heart, Gwynneth was an evangelist. Her ministerial involvement goes all the

way back to serving under the leadership of Bishop James Staggs, State Overseer.

Sister Gwynneth served as pastor to the following congregations: Murray,

Stephensburg, and Big Spring. We have come to love this family and were

blessed to have sweet fellowship in their home while serving the Hopkinsville

congregation during a season of pastoral transition.

Brother Fred has been a remarkable caregiver to his companion, especially the

final years of her life while she was homebound. His love for her was evident. His

heart to serve was visible. His marriage covenant was honored in sickness and in

death. We thank God for couples like the Bird’s who endure the ‘hard’ of life

and remain faithful, loving, and support to one another.

Join us in continuing to pray for Brother Fred as he makes this transition. We

serve a good, good Father and we trust in His sufficiency.

O.A.S.I.S. Retreat

Older Adults Still In Service

October 28-29, 2016

Camp Nikao, Elizabethtown

Roy & Karen Smith, Directors

Leadership Team: Herman & Jeri Riley,

Paul & Georgia Ewashko

Heart 2 Heart

Leadership Team

Brenda Gillum Carolyn Lyle

Loraine Griffin Bettie Payne

Marjorie Harper Kim Ramsey

Joyce Hood Sarita Westerfield

P. O. Box 220 , Elizabethtown, KY 24702